Sliding jaw wrench having claw handle jaw adjustment means



Dec. 13, 1966 5. DE LUCIA 3,290,97fl

SLIDING JAW WRENCH HAVING CLAW HANDLE JAW ADJUSTMENT MEANS Filed June18, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Sanro De Lucia BY ATTORNEY Dec. 13, 1966 5. DE LUCIA SLIDING JAW WRENCHHAVING CLAW HANDLE JAW ADJUSTMENT MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 18,1965 FIG.8

FIG.5

FIG.7

FIG.6

R O T N E V I Samo De Lucia ATTORNEY Dec. 13, 1966 5. DE LUCIA 3,290,970

SLIDING JAW WRENCH HAVING CLAW HANDLE JAW ADJUSTMENT MEANS Filed June18, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet L3 FIG.12 H013 INVENTOR. SaM'o Ba Lucia ATTDRNEYDec. 13, 1966 5. DE LUCIA 3,290,970

SLIDING JAW WRENCH HAVING CLAW HANDLE JAW ADJUSTMENT MEANS Filed June18, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Sanro De Lucia ATTORNEY Dec. 13, 1966 s. DE LUCIA 3,290,970

SLIDING JAW WRENCH HAVING CLAW HANDLE JAW ADJUSTMENT MEANS Filed June18, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Sanro De Lucia BY W7-M ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,290,970 SLIDINGJAW WRENCH HAVING CLAW HANDLE JAW ADJUSTMENT MEANS Santo De Lucia, 41Dodgingtown Road, Newtown, Conn. Filed June 18, 1965, Ser. No. 467,19011 Claims. (Cl. 81-127) This is a continuation in part application of anapplication Serial No. 366,719, filed May 12, 1964, now abancloned.

This invention relates in general to a ratcheting tool, and morespecifically to a ratcheting opened end Wrench for variable sizedworkpieces, as for example nuts, bolts, pipes and the like fallingwithin a given range of sizes.

Heretofore, many efforts have been made in an effort to produce asatisfactory ratcheting opened end wrench. Evidences of such efforts areshown in US. Patents No. 1,434,753; 2,476,369; 2,537,838; 2,762,249;3,000,245 and 3,044,335. However the known ratcheting wrenchconstructions are relatively complex in structure and they are ditficultand costly to manufacture and assemble. For this reason the knownratcheting wrench constructions have not attained wide commercialacceptance.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improvedratcheting end wrench that is relatively simple in construction, can beeasily fabricated, and is economical and positive in operation.

Another object is to provide a ratcheting open end wrench constructedand arranged so that any play due to wear or working tolerance betweenthe respective component parts thereof is taken up or minimized duringthe operation of the wrench, and thereby eifectively eliminates anytendency of the wrench to slip on the workpiece or otherwise deform theworkpiece, e.g. rounding the corners of a nut.

Another object is to provide an improved ratcheting wrench constructionin which the respective jaw members can be adjusted so that the rangebetween the minimum and maximum openings of the jaw members can bereadily adjusted.

Another object is to provide an improved ratcheting open end wrench inwhich the gripping force of the respective jaw members on a workpiece isincreased as the resistance to the applied torque is increased.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved ratchetingopen end wrench in which the jaw members can be readily adapted forgripping variable sized workpieces which fall within a given range ofsizes.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improvedratcheting opened end wrench which can be readily fitted to theworkpiece to be operated on.

Another object is to provide in a ratcheting open end wrench a concealedspiral wound spring arranged to be automatically wound in assembly fornormally biasing the movable jaws of the wrench toward their inoperativeposition.

Another object is to provide a ratcheting open end wrench with astrengthened wrench head.

Another object is to provide a ratcheting open end wrench with acompound leverage for effecting maximum torque.

Another object is to provide a ratcheting wrench with a squeeze griplever for enhancing the gripping power of the wrench head.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings in which,

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of a wrench construction embodying theinstant invention.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the wrench construction of FIG- ice URE 1 inengaging relationship with a workpiece, and having parts thereof shownin section.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view of a wrench construction of FIGURE 1,but illustrating the relative position of the parts with the jawsadjusted or positioned in an initially opened arrangement to therebyaccommodate the wrench to a range of larger sized workpieces.

FIGURE 4 is a detail side view of one of the jaw members of the wrenchhead of FIGURES 1 to 3, and having parts thereof shown in section.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a detail side elevation view of the other jaw member of thewrench head of FIGURES 1 to 3.

FIGURE 7 is an end view of the jaw member of FIG- URE 6.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the wrench constructionof FIGURES 1 to 3.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged end view taken along line 9-9 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 10 illustrates a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 11 illustrates another modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 12 illustrates still another modified form of the inventionhaving parts thereof shown in section.

FIGURE 13 is an exploded view of the wrench construction of FIGURE 12,and having portions thereof shown in section.

FIGURE 14 is a section view taken along line 1414 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 illustrates the wrench construction of FIG- URE 12 shown in aratcheting position.

FIGURE 16 is the right end view of the wrench of FIG- URE 12.

FIGURE 17 is the left end view of the wrench of FIG- URE 12.

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary side elevation View of modified wrenchconstruction in which the jaws are illustrated in the closed positionthereof.

FIGURE 19 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 18 but showing the jawsrotated to an opened position.

FIGURE 20 is a detail view of the handle means i1- lustratin-g the gearsector and wound spring thereon.

FIGURE 21 is an enlarged perspective detail view of the pivoting pin,

FIGURE 22 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 22-22 onFIGURE 18.

FIGURE 23 illustrates a modified wrench head for use in a wrenchconstruction as disclosed in FIGURE 18.

FIGURE 24 is a side elevation view of still another modified form ofwrench head.

FIGURE 25 is a side elevation view of still another modified form ofwrench head.

FIGURE 26 is a detail perspective view of a modified jaw constructionfor use in a ratcheting wrench of the type disclosed in FIGURE 18.

FIGURE 27 is an end view of the complementary jaw member for use inconjunction with the jaw member of FIGURE 26.

FIGURE 28 illustrates a side elevation view of still another form of theinvention having parts thereof shown in section.

FIGURE 29 is a side elevation view of the wrench construction of FIGURE28, but illustrated with the wrench head thereof rotated to jaw closethe position.

FIGURE 30 is a fragmentary showing of a wrench construction of the typedisclosed in FIGURES 28 and 29, but illustrating a modified portionthereof.

FIGURE 31 illustrates a sectional view of still another modifiedconstruction of the wrench disclosed of the type shown in FIGURES 28 and29.

Referring to the drawings, the wrench construction 30 of FIGURES 1through 9 comprises a handle portion 31 which has a gear sector 32formed on the upper end thereof. In the illustrated form of theinvention, the teeth 32A of the gear sector are rounded, however, theteeth on the gear sector 32 may be otherwise formed.

A wrench head 33 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the handleportion 31. As best seen in FIGURES 1 through 9, the wrench head 33comprises a pair of relatively movable jaw members 34, 35. Accordingly,one of the jaw members 34 is pivotally connected to the handle portion31 by a suitable pin means 36, and it is rendered readily rotatableabout its pivoted connection or pin means 36. As shown, the pivoting jawmember 34 is provided with a jaw portion 34A formed integral with abifurcated base portion 34B arranged to straddle the gear section 32formed on the end of handle 31. An aperture 37 extending through thesides of the bifurcated base portion 34B is provided, and it is arrangedto align with an opening formed in the handle whereby the pin 36 isextended therethrough to pivotally secure the jaw member 34 to thehandle structure 31.

Extending through the base portion 348 of the pivotally connected jaw isa groove defining a slide way 38 in which the other jaw member 35 isslidably supported. Jaw member 35 has integrally formed therewith a jawportion 35A and a toothed rack sector 35B which is adapted to beslidably received within the slide way 38 of jaw member 34. Accordingly,the respective jaw means 34, 35 are rendered relatively movable withrespect to one another, the arrangement being such that jaw member 35is. free to slide relative jaw member 34, as will be hereinafterdescribed.

As shown in FIGURE 4, the slide way 38 of jaw member 34 is separatedfrom the bifurcated portion 34B by a web 39 which has formed therein alongitudinally extending slotted opening 40. As best seen in FIGURES 1to 3, in the assembled position of the wrench head, the pivoting jawmember 34 is connected to the handle 31 so that a circumferentialportion of the gear sector 32 of the handle will project through theslotted opening 40 formed in the web. Accordingly, the rack 35B of themovable jaw 35 disposed in the slide way 38 of the pivotally connectedhead is disposed in meshing relationship with the gear sector 32projecting through the slotted opening 40. Consequently, whenever thewrench head 33 is rotated, for example in a counterclockwise directionabout its pivot pin 36, relative to the handle as indicated by arrow 41in FIGURE 1, the co-action between the gear sector 32 and cooperatingrack sector 35B of the movable jaw 35 is such that the movable jawmember 35 will slide relative to the pivoting jaw member 34 causing thejaw members 34, 35 to spread open for accommodating a workpiece 42, e.g.a nut and the like.

' Accordingly, it will be realized that the spread or opening formedbetween the respective jaw members 34, 35 is rendered proportional tothe angular rotation of the wrench head 33 about its pivot 36 in acounterclockwise direction relative to the handle 31. For this reason,the wrench head 33 can be readily adapted to any size workpiece or nut42 falling within range or spread attained by angular rotation of thehead 33 about its pivot 36.

To normally maintain the wrench head 33 rotated toward its inoperativeposition, or toward its minimum spread or open position, a spring meansis provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring 43 is disposedalong one side of the handle. Accordingly, the handle is provided with apair of spaced laterally projecting lugs 44, 45 between which there isextended a guide pin 46. Slidably disposed about the guide pin 46 is aguide slide 47 having a bifurcated end portion for straddling the upperlug 44. The end of the guide 47 engages the base portion of thepivotally connected jaw member 34, and a coil spring 43 is disposedabout the guide pin 46 between the guide 47 and the bottom lug 45 so asto exert 4 a spring tension on the guide 47. Thus, the guide 47 engagingthe base of the pivoting jaw member 34 func tions as a cam against whichthe bottom of the jaw member 34 rides during angular displacement of thewrench head.

As best seen in FIGURE 8, the guide pin 46 is provided at its lower endwith a threaded head 46A end which is readily threaded into a tappedhole 45A formed in the bottom lug 45. The upper end 46A of the guide pin46 is maintained in place by extending into a guide hole 44A formed inthe upper lug. In this manner, it will be noted that the guide pin 46can be rendered readily removable, if so desired.

As shown in FIGURE 2, whenever the head 33 of the wrench is rotated tospread the jaws for accommodating workpieces, e.g. a nut, the base 343of the pivotally connected jaw member 34 acting on the spring guide 47will cause the same to be displaced longitudinally of the guide pin 46thereby compressing the spring 43. Accordingly, the jaws 34, 35 arebiased closed on the workpiece 42 under the tension of spring 43.

With the construction described, if it is desired to increase the rangebetween the minimum and maximum spread or opening of the respective jawmembers 34, 35, the slidably mounted jaw member 35 may be displacedoutwardly relative to its complementary jaw member 34 to a position asindicated in FIGURE 3 so that in the normal inoperative position of thewrench head, the jaws 34, 35 are initially disposed in a spaced or openrelationship.

This adjustment can be readily accomplished by securing the pivotinghead 33 to the handle 31 by means with readily detachable pivot pin orscrew 36. Therefore, to effect the adjustment, one simply removes thepivot pin 36 thereby rendering the pivotally connected jaw member 34 andthe movable jaw 35 slidably carried therein to be removed from thehandle. The movable jaw'member 35 is then moved outward relative to itscomplementary jaw member 34 to the extent necessary to attain thedesired initial spread or opening between jaw members 34, 35. Thepivoting jaw 34 and the movable jaw 35 carried in its adjusted positionare then reattached to the handle 31 by aligning the opening 37 in thebase portion 34B of the pivoting jaw member with the opening in thehandle, and securing the same with the readily detachable pin connection36. Thus it will be readily apparent that with the jaw members initiallyspread open, that the range between minimum and maximum jaw openings isreadily increased.

In operation, it will be noted that when a workpiece 42 is positionedbetween the jaw members 34, 35, as shown in FIGURE 2, a rotation of thehandle in a direction as indicated by arrow 48 will cause the gearsector 32 to operate on the gear rack 35B of the movable jaw 35 in sucha manner that the jaws 34, 35 are moved toward each other so as tofirmly engage and grip the flats of the nut whereby a turning or torqueapplied on the handle is imparted to the nut to rotate the same.Rotating the handle in an opposite direction as indicated by arrow 49will cause the jaw members 35 to be outwardly moved relative to the jawmember 34 thereby permitting the respective jaw members 34, 35 toratchet around the corners of the nut 42 so that the jaw members 34, 35may engage other flats on the nut. Thus, upon a subsequent reversal ofthe movement of the handle in the direction of arrow 48, a working forceor torque is again applied to the nut 42.

The embodiment of FIGURE 10, the wrench 50 there shown, is similar tothat hereinbefore described with reference to FIGURES l to 9 with theexception that the jaw members are provided with serrated teeth 51 so asto render the wrench head 52 applicable for gripping pipe or other roundworkpieces.

FIGURE 11 illustrates another modified form of the invention. isprovided with means for facilitating the adjustment of In this form ofthe invention, the wrench 60 I j the minimum-maximum spread or openingbetween the respective jaw members 61, 62 so as to eliminate the needfor removing the pivot pin 65 connecting wrench head 63 to the handle 64as described with reference to FIGURES 1 to 9.

In this form of the invention, the handle 64 is provided with anelongated slot 64A for receiving the pivot pin 65 which secures thewrench head 63 to the handle 64. As best seen in FIGURE 11, a springmeans 66 is interposed between the pivot pin 65 which secures the headand the upper edge of the elongated slot 64A. The arrangement is suchthat the spring will normally maintain the pivot pin 66 adjacent theopposite or lower end of the slot 64A so that the gear sector 67 of thehandle is normally maintained in meshing relationship to the rack sector68 of the movable jaw member carried in the slide way of the pivotingjaw member. In all other respects, the wrench is the same as thatdescribed with reference to FIGURES 1 to 9.

Therefore, it will be noted that in order to effect an adjustment in therange between minimum to maximum opening of the jaw members, all thatone is required in the embodiment of FIGURE 11, is to move the wrenchhead 63 upwardly, or outwardly relative to the handle means 64 andagainst the bias of the spring 66 acting on the pivot pin 65 connectingthe same, so that the rack sector 68 of the movable jaw member isdisengaged from the gear sector 67 of the handle. With the rack 68- sodisengaged from the gear section 67, the movable or sliding jaw member69 is free to be slidably adjusted to the de sired extent with respectto the other jaw member 20. When such adjustment has been made, thewrench head 63 is released so that the spring 66 acting on the pivot pin65 will cause the head 63 to be moved toward the handle whereby the rack68 of the movable jaw member 69 is again disposed into meshingrelationship with the gear sector 67, but in an adjusted positiontherebetween.

In operation of applying torque and ratcheting, the wrench of FIGURE 11is otherwise similar in all respects to that of FIGURES 1 to 9.

FIGURES 12 through 17 illustrate still another form of the invention. Inthis form of the invention, the wrench 75 includes a handle 76 providedwith a bifurcated portion 77 at one end. The other end '78 of the wrenchmay be provided with a common, opened end wrench head 79, as seen inFIGURE 15.

In this form of the invention, the pivoting wrench head 80 comprises apivoting jaw member 81 and a complementary jaw member 82. As best seenin FIGURES 12 and 13, the pivoting jaw member 81 includes a jaw portion81A and a connected tail or base portion 8113 which is adapted to bereceived between the bifurcates 77 of the handle portion. The tailportion 81B is thus provided with an aperture 83 which is disposed inalignment with apertures 84 formed in the respective bifurcates 77 ofthe handle. Accordingly, the jaw member 81 is pivotally connected by asuitable hinge pin 85 extending through the aligned apertures 83 and841. Cooperatively associated with jaw member'81 is the complementaryjaw member 82. The respective jaw members 81, 82 are slidably connectedso as to be rendered relatively movable. Accordingly, the pivotallyconnected jaw member 81 is provided with a slide way 86 having alongitudinally extending keyway 87 formed integral therewith. Themovable jaw members 82 in turn are provided with an integrally connectedslide 88 and key 89 for complementing the slide way 86 and associatedkeyway 87 so that the respective jaw members are slidably connected forrelative movement.

Means are provided for interconnecting the movable jaw member 82 forrelative movement to the pivoting jaw member 81 so as to effect limitedsliding movement therebetween. The latter means comprises a headed pin90. As shown, the jaw member 81 is provided with a bore 91 adapted forreceiving the headed pin 90. The other jaw member 82 is provided with analigned bore 92 having a tapped portion 92A for receiving the threadedend 90A of the pin. Thus the respective jaw members 81, 82 are connectedby the pin 98 extending through bores 91 and '92, with the end 90A ofpin being threaded to bore portion 92A of the other jaw member 82. Thearrangement is such that the axis of the pin 90 is parallel to the axisof the cooperating slide way 86 and slide 88 of the respective jawmembers so as to not aifect binding therebetween on relative slidingmovement of the respective jaw members 81, 82.

As best seen in FIGURES l2 and 15, the head 90B of the pin 90 is spacedfrom the end of the bore 91 which is defined by a shoulder 91A.Accordingly, the spacing between the shoulder 91A or end of the bore 91and the head 90B of the pin 90 in the assembled position of the wrenchhead permits for relative movement between the respective jaw members81, 82; the amount of movement being determined by the distance betweenshoulder 91A and the head of the pin 9813. In order to maintain a biason the respective jam members 81, 82, a spring 94 is disposed about theshank of the pin so as to be anchored between the shoulder 91A of thebore 91 and the head 90B of the pin 90. Thus, the spring 94 tends tonormally maintain the jaw portions of the respective jaw members 81, 82biased toward one another, or gripped on a workpiece 95 disposedtherebetween.

In accordance with this invention, the upper end of the handle portion86 is provided with an arcuately shaped rocker seat 95. The movable jawmember 82, in turn, is provided with a rocker portion 96 shaped tocomplement or rock in the seat. Accordingly, the jaw member 82 isrockingly supported in the rocker seat 95.

To assemble the wrench head, the movable jaw member 82 is disposed sothat the slide portion 88 thereof is received in the slide way 86 of jawmember 81. The respective jaw members 81, 82 are then secured forlimited relative movement therebetween by the screw element or pin 90being inserted through the aligned bores 91, 92 formed in the respectivejaw member 81, 82 and through the coil spring 94 interposed between theend or shoulder portion 91A of the bore and the head end 90B of the pinas best seen in FIGURE 12.

With the construction of FIGURES 12 to 17, it is to be noted that withinpredetermined limits, whenever the head is rotated relative to thehandle 76 counterclockwise about pivot pin 85, a relative movement willoccur between the respective jaw members 81, 82 causing the jaw members81, 82 to open a limited extent so that the same can be adapted to aworkpiece, e.g. a nut. Accordingly, the jaw members 81, 82 can be openedto a limited extent, to adapt to any size nut which may fall within therange opening of the jaw member without adversely affecting theratcheting thereof.

The arrangement is such that with the jaw 81, 82 placed on a workpiece,and the handle 76 rotated in a clockwise direction as indicated by arrow97 in FIGURE 12, a driving force will be imparted which will apply aturning force or torque to the nut.

To ratchet the wrench head 88 about the nut, the handle 76 is rotated inthe opposite or counterclockwise direction as indicated by arrow 98 inFIGURE 15. In this direction of rotation, the handle 76 will cause thejaws 81, 82 to overcome the bias of spring 94 to spread the jaw members81, 82 apart thereby ratcheting the jaw portions 81 and 82 over thecorners of the nut to again advance the bite of the wrench head so thata succeeding turning stroke may be applied to the wrench.

FIGURES 18 through 21 illustrate another form of the invention. In thisform of the invention the wrench 100 comprises a handle means 101 which,in the illustrated embodiment, is constructed with laterally extendingflanges 102 along the longitudinal side edge thereof. Accordingly thehandle 101 is I-shape in cross section. The upper end of the handle hasformed thereon a gear sector 7 103 similar to that hereinbeforedescribed with respect to FIGURE 1.

A wrench head 104 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the handlemeans 101. In accordance with this form of the invention the Wrench head104 comprises a pair of complementary relatively movable jaw members105, 106. .T aw member 105 is pivotally connected to the handle 101 bymeans of pin 107 of a particular construction, as will be hereinafterdescribed. Accordingly, the pivoting jaw member 105 has a bifurcatedbase portion 105A arranged to straddle the gear sector 103 of the handlemeans 101 as hereinbefore described and an integrally formed jaw portion105B. Formed within the pivotable jaw member 105 is a slideway 100 inwhich the other jaw member 106 is slidably supported. Accordingly, theslidable supportable jaw member 106 includes a complementary jaw portion106A and an integrally formed rack sector 10613 that is slidablyreceived within the slideway 108 of the pivoting jaw member 105. Thearrangement is such that the rack portion 10613 of the movable jaw isdisposed into meshing relationship with the gear sector 103 of thehandle means 101 in a manner similar to that hereinbefore described.Thus jaw member 106 is free to slide between open and close positionrelative to jaw member 105 as the latter is rotated or pivoted in acounterclockwise direction about its pivot pin 107 as viewed in FIGURE18.

In this form of the invention the bifurcated base portion 105A of thepivotable jaw member 105 is provided with aligned openings 109 which areadapted to be disposed in alignment with a pin opening formed in thegear sector portion 103 of the handle means. Referring more specificallyto FIGURES and 21, the pin 107 about which the Wrench head 104 ispivotally secured to the gear sector 103 of the handle means has a shankportion which is bifurcated or notched as at 110. The head end 111 iskey shaped. The aperture 109 formed in the pivotable head for receivingthe pin 107 is defined with a complementary key shape arranged toreceive the pin head 111 so that by rotation of the pin 107, the pinhead 111 is seated in the opening 109 of the wrench head.

In accordance with this invention the respective jaw members arenormally biased toward their inoperative or closed position as viewed inFIGURE 18, by means of a helically wound or spiral spring 112. As shown,one end of the spring 112 is anchored by suitable means, as a pin 113 orthe like to the handle 101. The other end of the spiral spring 112 isreceived in the bifurcated shank end 110 of the pin 107. Referring toFIGURES 20 and in FIGURE 21, the slot 110 formed in the end of the pivotpin 107 is disposed at an angle with respect to the lug or offset 111Aof the key shaped head portion 111 of the pin 107. The arrangement issuch that with the end of the spring anchored to pin 113 and the otherend secured between the bifurcated portions 110 of the pin 107, the pin107 is required to be rotated a predetermined amount to recess the headend 111 of the pin in the key shaped aperture 109 in the wrench head.Consequently, the angular displacement required to orientate the keyshaped head 111 of the pin 107 so as to seat in the key shaped openingof the wrench head is such that the spring 112 will be automaticallywound to impart thereto a bias that will normally urge the jaw members105, 106 to their closed position, as indicated in FIGURE 18.

To facilitate the opening of the jaw members to accommodate a nut or thelike, a means is provided to rotate the wrench head 104 about the gearsector of the handle means, thereby afiecting displacement of the jawsto a desired open or spread position, accordingly. As best seen inFIGURES 18, 19, and 22, the latter means comprise a slider 114 having aT shaped slot 115 for receiving a flanged edge portion 102 of the handlemeans in a manner to render the slider 114 readily slidable therealong.A connecting link 116 interconnects the slider 114 with the pivotinghead 104 of the wrench. The

opposed ends of the connecting link are respectively pivotally connectedto the slider 114 and to the jaw memher by a suitable pin connection.Thus by displacing the slider 114 upwardly as indicated by the arrow 117in FIGURE 18 to a position shown in FIGURE 19, the wrench head 104 isrotated in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 107. Indoing so, the jaw portions are displaced to an open position.

In operation, it will be noted, that to spread or open the respectivejaw members 105, 106, all that an operator need do is to slide theslider 114 in an upwardly direction to rotate the wrench head about thegear sector of the handle means. In so doing, the rack 106B meshing thegear sector 103 will shift the movable jaw portion relative to the jawportion of the pivoting jaw member. When the nut or the like has beenpositioned between the open jaw members, release of the slider 114 willcause the spiral spring to automatically bias the jaws together to closeonto the nut disposed therebetween. Thus when a turning movement ortorque is applied to the handle of the wrench, the co-action between therack sector 106B and the meshing gear sector 103 of the Wrench head andhandle means, respectively, will cause the slidable jaw member 106 tolock on the nut to firmly secure the same in the direction of handlerotation. Rotation of the handle in the opposite direction will causethe movable jaw 106 to be moved outwardly relative to the other jawmember 105, thereby permitting the respective jaws to ratchet around thecorner of the nut so that the jaw members may engage other flats on thenut. Upon a subsequent reversal of movement of the handle 101 in thedirection of torque, at working force is then again applied to the nut.Thus the operation of the wrench of FIGURES 18 through 21 is similar tothat hereinbefore described in so far as the ratcheting principle isconcerned.

In the structure of FIGURES 18 through 21, the coil or spiral spring 112is concealed for the most part, and consequently is protected fromfouling or damage. Also the slider 114 enables an operator to havecomplete control over the wrench in a very simple and economic manner.The entire structure of the wrench of FIGURE 18 enables an operator towork faster, and thereby render him a more effective mechanic.

FIGURE 23 illustrates a slightly modified form of jaw construction 120adapted for use with the wrench construction of FIGURE 18. This form ofwrench head 120 is similar in all respects with respect to the wrenchhead 104 of FIGURE 18 with the exception that the respective jaw membersare provided with complementary V-shaped notches 121 in the opposedgripping faces of the jaw portions to provide for a more positive gripon a nut. With the jaw construction of FIGURE 23, slippage between thewrench head and the nut secured therebetween is minimized.

FIGURE 24 illustrates still another modified form of wrench headconstruction 1125. In this form, the pivoting jaw member 126 is providedwith an arcuate jaw portion 126A in which the inner periphery orgripping surface thereof has formed thereon a series of serrated or V-shaped notches 127. The slidable jaw 128 is provided with acomplementary jaw portion 128A having a series of complementaryserrations 129. With the jaw portions constructed as shown in FIGURE 24,the arrangement is such that it is particularly adapted for use ontwelve point nuts or bolt heads. Also, this jaw construction may beinterchangeably used for operation on hex head bolts and/ or nuts. Thisconstruction renders the wrench head interchangeable for use with hexshaped nuts and bolts and/ or twelve point head nuts and bolts.

FIGURE 25 illustrates another modified form of wrench head. In this formthe wrench head 130 is provided with a pivoting jaw member 131 which isprovided with arcuate portion 132 having a serrated inner portion 133 asshown to accommodate hex nuts of varying sizes. The jaw portion 134 ofthe slidable jaw member is provided with a complementary shape 135 toaccommodate two sides of a hex nut. Accordingly, the arrangement of thecooperating surfaces 133, 135 of the respective jaw members 131, 134 aresuch that hex nuts of varying sizes may be disposed between thecomplementary surfaces of the respective jaw members.

FIGURES 26 and 27 illustrate a further modified form of wrench headconstruction. In this form of the invention the pivoting jaw member 140is provided with a guide way 141 having diametrically opposed key ways141A and 14113 formed integral therewith. The arrangement is such thatthe movable jaw member 142, as disclosed in 26, is adapted to beslidably received in the slideway 141 defined in the pivoting jaw 140.Accordingly, the rack portion 143 of the movable jaw member 142 isconnected to the jaw portion 142A by means of a web 144 which is adaptedto be received in the key way 141B of the slideway 141.

The rack portion 143 of the jaw member 142 in turn is provided with aplurality of tooth extensions 145 to define the tooth sector of therack. The teeth sector thus formed enhances the strength so that greatertorque may be applied to the head, than could otherwise be applied tothe wrench head. Accordingly, a stronger construction is attained.

FIGURES 28 and 29 illustrate still another form of the invention. Inthis form of the invention the wrench 156 comprises a handle means 151that includes an elongated shank that has formed on one end thereof agear sector 152 similar to that hereinbefore described. The wrench head153 comprises a pivoting jaw member 154 which is provided with aslideway 155 for receiving a movable jaw member 156, the latter having arack portion 157 disposed into meshing relationship with the gear sector152 in a manner similar to that hereinbefore described. The respectivejaw portions of the jaw members are each provided with a V-shaped notch158 for accommodating opposed adjacent flats of a nut disposedtherebetween. In this form of the invention the Wrench head 153 ispivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 159 to the gear sector 152of the handle means in a manner similar to that described with respectto FIGURE 1.

A squeeze grip or lever 160 is pivotally connected to the pivoted jaw154 of the head by means of a pivot pin 161. In the illustratedembodiment the squeeze or grip lever 160 has length substantially equalto that of the handle 151 and cooperates therewith in a manner so thatan operator may easily grip both the handle means 115 and the squeeze orgrip lever 160 in operating the wrench.

A spring 162 is provided for normally maintaining the jaw members totheir spread or open inoperative position, as in FIGURE 28. Accordingly,the spring 162 comprises a coil spring having one end anchored to theupper end portion of the lever grip 160 by a suitable pin connection163, and has its other end suitably anchored intermediate the length ofthe handle 151.

As shown, a connecting link 164 is interconnected between the squeezegrip lever 160 and the handle portion 151 of the wrench. Each end of theconnecting link 161 is pivotally connected to the respective handle andgrip lever by a suitable pin connection 165, 166. In embodiment ofFIGURES 28 and 29, the handle means 151 is provided with a recess 151Afor receiving one end of the connecting link 164. Accordingly, the upperedge 167 of the recess 151A defines a stop to limit the movement of theconnecting link 164 in the maximum closed position of the wrench head asshown in FIGURE 21. In operation the spring 162 maintains the wrenchhead rotated so that the respective jaw portions are maintained in anormal open or spread position. Accordingly, to close the respective jawmembers onto a nut or the like in preparation for applying torquethereto, the operator merely has to squeeze the lever or grip 160 towardthe handle means 151. In doing so the head 153 is rotated in acounterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 159.

The meshing relationship between the movable jaw member and the gearsector is such that the movable jaw portion 156 will close onto the jawportion of the jaw member 154. Accordingly, the respective jaw portionwill close onto a nut or the like. A torque is applied in a direction ofarrow 168 whereby the respective jaw members close onto a nut or boltdisposed therebetween.

To ratchet the wrench construction of FIGURES 28 and 29, the operatormerely has to release his squeeze or grip on the handle, an amountsuflicient to permit the respective jaw members 154, 156 to part enoughto permit the jaw portions to rotate about the corners of the nutdisposed therebetween. When the wrench head 153 has been rotated aboutthe nut in an amount suflicient to again apply torque thereto, the leveris again squeezed toward the handle means, and torque applied in thedirection of rotation of arrow 168. Accordingly, with the constructiondescribed, a positive and greater torque can be applied to the nut orbolt. The edge 167 of the recess 151A or stop defined thereby isarranged to keep the lever at a proper minimum angle to obtain themaximum leverage.

FIGURE 30 illustrates a modification to the wrench construction 170described with respect to FIGURE 28. In this embodiment the wrenchconstruction 170 is substantially similar to that hereinbefore describedwith re spect to FIGURE 28, with the exception that the connecting link171 between the handle means 172 and the lever 173 is slightly modified.In this form of the invention one end of the interconnecting link ispivotally connected about a fixed pin 147 to the handle portion 172. Theother end of the interconnecting link is connected to the lever grip 173by means of a pin and slot connection. Accordingly, an elongated slot174 is formed in the lever grip 173 of the wrench with the pivot pin 175being slidably mounted within the slot of the lever grip as the levergrip is moved between its operative and inoperative position.

As shown in FIGURE 20, in the normal inoperative position the pin 175 islocated at the top of the slot 174. As the lever is biased toward thehandle means to lock the jaws onto the nut, the pivot pin 175 connectingthe link 171 to the grip lever 173 is moved to the bottom of the slot174. To insure the proper minimum angle so as to obtain optimum leveragea stop pin 176 is located adjacent the link pivot 174 on the handlemeans. Accordingly, as illustrated in the dotted lines thereof, the edgeof the interconnecting link 171 engaging the stop pin 176 will limit themovement of the squeeze grip 173 toward the handle means 172.

FIGURE 31 illustrates another modified construction for eifecting therelative sliding movement between the squeeze grip and theinterconnecting link. In this form of the invention the squeeze grip 178is defined by a member having a T-shaped slot 179. Accordingly, theinterconnecting link is provided with a T-shaped end portion 181 whichis adapted to be slidably received within the T-shaped slot 179 of thelever grip 178. Accordingly, it will be noted that as the lever grip 178is squeezed toward and away from the handle means, the interconnectinglink 180 maintaining the same will be slidably received in T slot 179.It will, therefore, be apparent that in operation the wrenchmodification of FIG- URE 31 is similar in all respects to the wrenchconstruction herein described.

From the foregoing description, it will be noted that the respectivewrench embodiments herein illustrated and described are relativelysimple in structure and each can be readily fabricated at minimum costs.An important feature of the respective wrench constructions is that eachis readily adapted to accommodate a variety of differently sizedworkpieces, e.g. nuts, within a given range of sizes for the reason thatthe respective jaw members can be spread within predetermined limits toaccommodate such sizes without adversely effecting the ratchetingfeature.

l. 1 Another important feature of the claimed invention is that the biteor holding force exerted by the respective jaw members on the workpieceheld therebetween is increased as the driving force or torque impartedthereto is increased. Thus, slippage of the wrench on the workpiece isminimized.

While the instant invention has been described with reference to severalembodiments thereof, it will be readily understood and appreciated thatvariations and modifications of the invention may be formed withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A ratcheting open end wrench comprising,

(a) a handle,

(b) a wrench head including a pair of complementary jaw members,

(c) means for slidably interconnecting said jaws for relative movementtherebetween, I

(d) means for pivotally connecting only one of said jaw members to theend of said handle whereby rotation of said handle in one directionimparts a turning force on a workpiece secured between said jaw members,and rotation of said handle in the opposite direction effects ratchetingof said jaw members about said workpiece,

(e) spring means for biasing said jaw members toward their closedposition,

(f) means for effecting rotation of said wrench head against the bias ofsaid spring,

(g) and said latter means includes a slider mounted on said handlemeans, and means connecting said slider to said wrench head.

2. A ratcheting open end wrench comprising:

(a) a handle means having gear like teeth formed on one end thereof,

(b) a wrench head including a pair of complementary jaw members,

() a pin for pivotally connecting one of said jaw means to the said endof said handle means,

(d) said other jaw member being slidably connected with respect to saidpivoting jaw member,

(e) said slidable jaw member having rack sector disposed in meshingengagement with said teeth formed on the end of said handle wherebypivoting of said wrench head about its pivot pin effects relativemovement of said jaw members between open and closed position so thatrotation of said handle means in one direction urges said jaw memberstoward one another to lock on a workpiece disposed therebetween, androtation of said handle means in the opposite direction causes said jawmembers to spread apart to ratchet about said workpiece,

(f) a helical spring for biasing said jaws toward inoperative position,and

(g) said pin including means to wind said spring to bias the same.

3. A ratcheting open end wrench comprising:

(a) a handle means,

(b) a wrench head including a pair of complementary jaw members adaptedto open and close on a workpiece,

(c) means pivotally connecting one of said jaw members about the end ofsaid handle means, said pivotally connected jaw member having a slidewayformed therein,

(d) means slidably connecting the other jaw member within said slideway,

(e) said slide jaw member and adjacent end of said handle means havingcomplementary meshing surfaces for effecting relative sliding movementbetween said jaw member as said jaw members pivot about said pivotingmeans to open and close said jaw member accordingly,

(f) a spring means for biasing said jaw members toward their closeposition,

(g) and means for effecting rotation of said wrench head against thebias of said spring means,

(h) said latter means includes a slider mounted on said handle means,and means connecting said slider to said wrench head.

4. A ratcheting open end wrench comprising:

(a) a handle means having a gear sector on one end thereof,

(b) a wrench head including a pair of relatively movable jaw members,

(c) means for pivotally connecting one of said jaw members about saidgear sector to said handle means,

((1) said one jaw member having a slideway formed therein, and

(e) said other jaw member having a rack portion receivable within saidslideway, said rack portion being disposed in meshing relationship withsaid gear sector,

(f) said pivotally connecting means including a pin having an offsetportion to define a key shaped head portion and a slot formed in theother end thereof,

(g) a helical spring,

(h) one end of spring being anchored to said handle means, and the otherend of said spring anchored to said slot in said pin,

(i) said one jaw member having a key shaped opening in the side forreceiving the head of said pin,

(j) Said slot being angularly disposed with respect to the offset ofsaid key shape pin head so that said helical spring is automaticallywound when said pin is seated in the key shaped opening in said one jawmember, and

(k) said spring when Wound normally biasing said jaws toward closedposition.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 and including means for pivotingsaid jaws to open position to overcome the bias of said spring.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said latter meansincludes:

(a) a slider mounted on the handle means for relative movementtherealong,

(b) and a link connected between said slider and said head,

(c) said link having its opposite end portions pivotally connected tosaid head and said slider so that displacement of said slider along saidhandle effects rotation of said one head about said pivot pinaccordingly.

7. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said jaw membershave complementary notches formed on the gripping surfaces thereof forseating a nut therebetween.

8. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said jaw member havecomplementary notches for accommodating different sized hex nuts.

9. A ratcheting open end wrench comprising;

(a) a handle means having a gear sector on one end thereof,

(b) a Wrench head including a pair of relatively movable jaw members,

(0) means for pivotally connecting one of said jaw members about saidgear sector to said handle means,

(d) said one jaw member having a slideway formed therein, and,

(c) said other jaw member having a rack portion receivable within saidslideway, said rack portion being disposed in meshing relationship withsaid gear sector,

(f) said pivotally connecting means including a pin having an offsetportion to define a key shaped head portion and a slot formed in theother end thereof,

(g) a helical spring,

(h) one end of spring being anchored to said handle means, and the otherend of said spring anchored to said slot in said pin,

(i) said one jaw member having a key shaped opening in the side forreceiving the head of said pin,

(j) said slot being angularly disposed with respect to the offset ofsaid key shaped pin head so that said helical spring is automaticallywound when said pin is seated in the key shaped opening in said one jawmember,

(k) said spring when wound normally biases said jaws toward closedposition,

(1) means for pivoting said jaws to open position to overcome the biasof said spring,

(m) and said jaw members having complementary notches for accommodatingdifferent sized hex nuts wherein said one jaw member has an arcuate jawportion formed with a plurality of notches formed along the inner sidethereof, and said other jaw member having an arcuate jaw portion havinga series of complementary notches formed on the side opposed to thenotches of said one jaw member to accommodate a twelve point nut.

10. A ratcheting open end Wrench comprising:

(a) a handle having a gear sector connected to one end thereof,

(b) a wrench head including a pair of relatively movable jaw members,

(c) one of said jaw members having a bifurcated base portion straddlingsaid gear sector,

((1) said one jaw member having a slide way,

(e) the other jaw member having a rack sector slidably received in saidslide way, said rack having teeth formed with extended portions foradded strength, and

(f) said rack sector being in meshing engagement with the teeth of saidgear sector,

(g) a pin pivotally connecting said one jaw member about the gear sectorof said handle means,

(h) said pin having shank portion with a key shaped head connected toone end and a slot formed on the other end thereof,

(i) and said one member having an opening formed in the bifurcatedportion thereof, said opening complementing the said key shaped head ofsaid pin for receiving the same,

(j) a helically wound spring for biasing said jaw members toward closedposition,

(k) said spring having one end anchored to said handle means and havingits other end anchored in the slot in said pin, whereby the connectionthereof is such that the spring is wound when said key shaped pin headis seated in said key shaped opening formed in said jaw member.

11. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein the teeth of the racksector of said slidable jaw member is prothat greater torque may beapplied to the head thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 573,313 12/1896Tiner 81-186 X 698,706 4/ 1902 Huntley 81-127 X 852,071 4/1907 Meyers81-127 967,651 8/1910 Martrugue 81-127 1,181,654 5/1916 Eifel. 1,190,3367/1916 Stanley et al 81-127 1,602,620 10/1926 Larson et a1. 81-1271,758,013 5/1930 Schubert et al 81-127 1,924,023 8/1933 Carlberg 81-1778X 2,223,306 11/1940 Mead 81-127 2,351,821 6/1944 Larson 81-127 FOREIGNPATENTS 617,063 12/ 1920 France.

36,081 4/ 1906 Switzerland.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. MILTON S. MEHR, Examiner.

1. A RATCHETING OPEN END WRENCH COMPRISING, (A) A HANDLE, (B) A WRENCHHEAD INCLUDING A PAIR OF COMPLEMENTARY JAW MEMBERS, (C) MEANS FORSLIDABLY INTERCONNECTING SAID JAWS FOR RELATIVE MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN,(D) MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY CONNECTING ONLY ONE OF SAID JAW MEMBERS TO THEEND OF SAID HANDLE WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID HANDLE IN ONE DIRECTIONIMPARTS A TURNING FORCE ON A WORKPIECE SECURED BETWEEN SAID JAW MEMBERS,AND ROTATION OF SAID HANDLE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION EFFECTS RATCHETINGOF SAID JAW MEMBERS ABOUT SAID WORKPIECE, (E) SPRING MEANS FOR BIASINGSAID JAW MEMBERS TOWARD THEIR CLOSED POSITION, (F) MEANS FOR EFFECTINGROTATION OF SAID WRENCH HEAD AGAINST THE BIAS OF SAID SPRING, (G) ANDSAID LATTER MEANS INCLUDES A SLIDER MOUNTED ON SAID HANDLE MEANS, ANDMEANS CONNECTING SAID SLIDER TO SAID WRENCH HEAD.